WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION IN DELHI
WITH AN ACTION PLAN
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
PARYAVARAN BHAWAN, C.G.O. COMPLEX
LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI-110003
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 : Introduction
CHAPTER 2 : Air Pollution
CHAPTER 3 : Vehicular Pollution
CHAPTER 4 : Water Pollution
CHAPTER 5 : Solid Waste Management
CHAPTER 6 : Industrial Pollution
CHAPTER 7 : Noise Pollution
CHAPTER 8 : Institutional and Planning Aspects
CHAPTER 9 : Public Participation and General Awareness
CHAPTER 10 : Action Points : General
Abbreviations in action plan
List of Meetings/Participants
CHAPTER 7
Noise Pollution
1.0 Noise has been notified as a pollutant under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The main sources of noise pollution are automobiles, construction equipments, loudspeakers, bursting of crackers, etc. Noise is described as unwanted sound that produces deleterious effects on health and affects the physical and psychological well being of the people. In general terms, noise induced ailments are preventable but are difficult to cure after they have occurred. In recent times, public concerns about the rising trends in noise pollution have increased. High noise levels result in auditory fatigue and deafness. The non-auditory effects relate to interference with speech, causing annoyance and affecting efficiency. Increasing noise levels are also resulting in major social problems. Ambient standards in respect of sound for different categories of areas - residential, commercial, industrial and silence zones - have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act. In many areas of Delhi the ambient noise levels far exceed the prescribed standards. In this respect, there is the need for regulating the use of loudspeakers, DG sets and use of horns in vehicles.
2.0 Ambient Noise Standards: Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different categories of areas (residential, commercial, industrial and sensitive) have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which are as follows:
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Category of area Limits in decibels/dB
Day Night
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Industrial area 75 70
Commercial area 65 55
Residential area 55 45
Silence Zone 50 40
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3.0 Noise Standards at Manufacturing Stage:
Noise limits have also been prescribed at the manufacturing stage for automobiles, domestic appliances and construction equipment, which are as follows:
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Limits in dB(A)
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(a) Motorcycle, Scooters and Three Wheelers 80
(b) Passenger Cars 82
(c) Passenger Commercial Vehicles upto 4 MT 85
(d) Passenger or Commercial Vehicles above 4 MT and upto 12 Mt 89
(e) Passenger or Commercial Vehicles exceeding 12 MT 91
(f) Window Air Conditioners of 1 to 1.5 ton 68
(g) Air Coolers 60
(h) Diesel Generators for domestic purposes 85-90
(I) Refrigerators 46
(j) Compactors (rollers) Front Loaders, Concrete Mixers,
Cranes (Movables) Vibrators and Saws 75
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4.0 Codes of Practice: Besides above, the Code of practice for controlling noise other than industries and automobiles has been brought out for the following areas:
- Public Address Systems;
- Aircraft Operations;
- Railway Operations;
- Construction Activities and ;
- Bursting of Crackers.
5.0 Survey by Delhi Pollution Control Committee: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has conducted noise survey in Delhi from August to October, 1996 in different parts of Delhi. The analysis of primary and secondary data and the indices have brought out the following noise pollution scenario in Delhi:
- Three wheelers, trucks and motorcycles remain the chief source or noise pollution on Delhi roads followed by generators in the residential, commercial and industrial locations.
- Fifteen of the forty six residential locations have noise level within the tolerable limits for over 90% of the time of the day. On the other extreme, 12 locations are noisy round the clock. The rural areas which are away from the main National highways have not yet caught up with the noise problem barring the locations where unauthorised industrial activities are taking place.
- All major commercial areas remain noisier than the tolerable limits with Chandni Chowk remaining highly noisy round the clock.
- Industrial areas by and large remained within the prescribed limits.
- Sensitive locations including the silence zones, including hospital areas, are alarmingly noisy.
- All major traffic corridors are highly noisy with peaks even crossing 100 dBA mark. Mahipalpur Crossing on NH-8 is noisiest round the clock. Andrew's Ganj Crossing on Ring Road is also alarmingly noisy.
6.0 Recomme ndations by DPCC to control Noise in Delhi: The DPCC survey report has recommended following steps for control of noise in Delhi:
- Ban on Pressure Horns to be effectively implemented.
- Well designed silencers and mufflers be installed on the vehicles, preferably at the manufacturers level. 3-Wheeler Autos to be phased out.
- Synchronised traffic signalling to be introduced on Ring Road and all other major traffic corridors including National Highways within the city limits.
- A comprehensive Traffic Management Plan including effective implementation and extension of traffic restrictions, construction of sub-ways and fly-overs be chalked out on priority. Only mild slope to be provided on approach roads of the fly overs.
- Use of generators for commercial and residential purposes may be banned. Generators used for industrial purposes should be properly enclosed and equipped with noise muffling devices.
- Extensive plantation of trees on the road curbs and the road side colonies be undertaken in a definite time target. North Delhi to be given priority.
- Hoardings of noise absorbent materials be encouraged.
- Adequate noise barriers be created around the hospitals schools and other locations in silence zones.
- City development plan to take adequate steps in advance to protect the habitants from the road side noise.
- Prescribed standards for home appliances and industrial machinery be enforced effectively.
- Mass awareness programmes be launched for people's participation, in noise abatement programme aided by continuous noise monitoring and display network at important locations in Delhi.
7.0 Loudspeakers: The stipulation of point noise standards for loudspeakers will enable their regulation under the environmental laws. Presently, the use of loudspeakers is regulated under laws pertaining to public nuisance or which relate to maintenance of law and order.
8.0 Generator sets: There are approximately 1 to 1.5 lakh portable electricity generating sets in Delhi in use in commercial and residential areas. The use of generator sets needs to be regulated under the municipal laws. Acoustic hoods should be made mandatory to muffle the sound. Point noise standards for generating sets will have to be prescribed under the environmental laws.
9.0 Regulation of Horns: The Motor Vehicles Act and the rules framed thereunder stipulate that every motor vehicle shall be constructed and maintained so as to conform to the noise standards approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards. While certain noise limits have been prescribed in the Environment (Protection) Act for automobiles at the manufacturing stage, provision also has to be made for regulating the use of horns while a vehicle is in use.
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